"People thought PM Modi will begin the New Year on a great note... This same 'I-me-and-myself' has brought India to the brink of devastation in the 55 months that he has ruled," Mr Surjewala said at a press conference later.

The party has posed 10 questions for the Prime Minister, ranging from his promise to bring back black money and pay into the bank accounts of every Indian, to the status of the Clean Ganga project and high fuel prices.

Calling it a "fixed interview", senior Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted: "PM Modi did not spare our people of his penchant for false promises, hollow claims and propaganda even on the New Year day. The habitual peddler of untruths and lies has signalled a nasty narrative for the 2019 election campaign."